Areas of Care

Organ and Tissue Donation Program

Organ and Tissue Donation Program

Donation process  

The decision to become an organ and/or tissue donor is a personal one. 

Our practice is to ask the next-of-kin or “legal substitute decision-maker” for consent to donate organs and tissues at the time of death.

The most important step is to make the decision regarding donation and discuss that decision with your family. In Ontario, this gift of life is not possible without the support of the next-of-kin.

By telling your family of your decision you give them the opportunity to fulfil your wishes. Being aware of your intent also makes it easier for your family to consent on your behalf. Families who overlook their loved one’s wish to donate later often express regret that donation did not take place.

Religious considerations

Most religious groups support the concept of organ and tissue donation. They consider donation to be a gift of life from one individual to another. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your own faith’s viewpoint, please contact your religious leader or the hospital's spiritual care practitioners.

Brain death

To become an organ donor, a person must be declared brain dead. Brain death is determined by strict medical criteria and must be diagnosed independently by two different physicians. These doctors cannot be a part of any transplant team. Brain death is completely irreversible and is one of the legal definitions of death. Unlike organ donation, tissue donation can occur after the heart stops beating. It is not necessary for brain death to occur first.

Community awareness campaigns

The Ottawa Hospital Organ and Tissue Donation Program will collaborate with community organizations, special interest groups, professional associations, The Gift of Life Network (TGLN), governments, schools and media to promote and assist in the development of community awareness campaigns for National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week (NOTDAW) and throughout the year. 

Learn more about the donor process

It is the responsibility of the staff on each unit to identify potential organ and tissue donors. The donor coordinator is always available as a resource to assist in this step in the process. 

It is the responsibility of the donor coordinator to arrange for transfer of a potential donor from a referring facility within the Ottawa Region, if necessary. 

Brain death declaration, for the purposes of organ donation, is the responsibility of two physicians experienced in the relevant clinical examination. Those individuals who assess patients for brain death should be independent of the transplant team. It is appropriate for the donor coordinator to assist in this step of the process because they are part of the critical care team and not part of the transplant program. 

A decoupled approach is recommended and should be instituted as standard practice at The Ottawa Hospital. Decoupling is defined as introduction of the concept of donation by a donor coordinator not associated with transplantation, only after the family has had time to absorb the reality and finality of brain death. This approach has been recognized internationally and results in the highest rates of consent.

Informed consent is defined as the agreement of a person (or their legally authorized representative) to submit to any medical procedure, in full knowledge of all procedures and requirements as well as possible risks and benefits entailed. It is the donor coordinator that has the knowledge and expertise in all aspects of the organ and tissue donation process, therefore is the most appropriate member of the team to participate in obtaining consent. 

The donor coordinator is responsible for ensuring the completion of the donor assessment, including:

  • Arranging for blood samples to be sent to the appropriate laboratories.
  • Coordinating diagnostic tests as required.
  • Acting as a resource for the donor maintenance protocol.
  • Communicate with prospective transplant teams.
  • Notifying the Operating Room.
  • Obtaining privileges for outside teams.

The coordinator also provides appropriate documentation for retrieval teams. This step also includes a medical and social history questionnaire completed with the family. This comprehensive document is a legal requirement of the donation process and is legislated in the Food and Drug Act, as part of the safety standards. It is the responsibility of the donor coordinator to ensure that the required information on the above-mentioned questionnaire is obtained in a compassionate and reliable manner. 

Donor registration and organ allocation is the responsibility of the Trillium Gift of Life Network‘s Provincial Resource Centre based in Toronto. The organs would be offered to the transplant centre according to the provincial Trillium Gift of Life Network computer allocation report. Ongoing communication with the retrieval centres would take place until organs are retrieved. 

The donor coordinator is part of the retrieval team and is present in the operating room. The responsibilities include:  

  • Reviewing donor chart with nursing and medical staff prior to retrieval commencing.  
  • Supporting the incoming and local teams.  
  • Assisting with and/or performing perfusion responsibilities.  
  • Ensuring adherence to retrieval protocols.  
  • Documenting, packaging and making travel arrangements for organs, tissues and teams. 
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Yes, I want to save lives! 

Register your consent to donate organs and tissue with the Trillium Gift of Life Network. 

Learn more and register